Public Morals Committee Member (Seeking Everything)

The air in the Student Council office held a touch of solemn chill, with sunlight casting mottled shadows across the floor through the blinds.

When Watanabe Hayabara pushed open the door, the sound of his shoes hitting the floor shattered the room's silence. He looked at Horikita Manabu sitting behind the desk, his tone tinged with impatience: "President Horikita, what do you need with me? I'm a bit pressed for time." Before he even finished speaking, he had already pulled out the chair in front of the desk and sat down with a casual, fluid motion, leaning back slightly with an air of nonchalance.

Standing beside Horikita Manabu, Tachibana Akane felt her expression stiffen at this slightly disrespectful tone. Her fingers tightened instinctively around her folder, and just as she was about to speak up to uphold the Student Council's dignity, Horikita Manabu suddenly raised his hand. Tachibana Akane immediately understood his intent and swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue, merely watching Watanabe Hayabara in silence with a hint of wariness in her eyes.

Horikita Manabu's gaze rested on Watanabe Hayabara's face. He adjusted the glasses on the bridge of his nose, the lenses reflecting a cold light, yet a faint smile curled at the corners of his mouth. He spoke in a steady tone: "Watanabe Hayabara, I sincerely invite you to join the Student Council." Every word was clear and forceful, carrying an unquestionable aura.

"Sorry, President, I have no intention of joining the Student Council." Watanabe Hayabara shook his head without hesitation, his fingertips tapping rhythmically against the desk, creating a steady sound. "I believe you are aware of this. If you are genuinely looking to recruit first-year students, you might consider Ichinose Honami from Class B; she would bring a great deal of help to the Student Council." He declined with a relaxed tone, taking the opportunity to recommend someone else.

"Ichinose Honami?" Horikita Manabu repeated the name, his eyes flickering slightly. "Her reputation among the first-year students is indeed outstanding, but unfortunately, we have not received an application from her." His tone betrayed no emotion, as if he were merely stating a fact.

Hearing this, Watanabe Hayabara's mouth curled into a playful smile, his eyes filled with a touch of mockery: "I haven't submitted an application either, have I, President Horikita?" He deliberately emphasized the words "President Horikita." "What's laughable is that you haven't even received an application from Ichinose Honami."

"Is that so?" Horikita Manabu's expression remained unchanged, still watching Watanabe Hayabara calmly, as if the other's mockery had no effect on him, though the fingers resting on the desk curled slightly.

Watanabe Hayabara laughed even more heartily, the corners of his eyes lifting. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his tone growing more teasing: "After all, Ichinose Honami's application was handled by Nagumo Miyabi. It's a pity that such an excellent student was rejected by Nagumo Miyabi." He enunciated the name "Nagumo Miyabi" with heavy emphasis, each syllable carrying a deliberate weight, like a stone dropped into a calm lake.

Tachibana Akane's breath hitched, and her fingers, gripping the folder, tightened until her knuckles turned white. She instinctively looked at Horikita Manabu, and seeing him maintain his calm posture—though the gaze behind his lenses seemed a fraction colder—she let out a silent sigh of relief.

"I will look into the matter of Ichinose Honami's application; you need not worry about that." Horikita Manabu tapped his fingertips against the desk, his tone as steady as before. "When it comes to issues of fairness, the Student Council will certainly handle them."

"That has nothing to do with me; I was merely offering a reminder to the President." Watanabe Hayabara stood up, hands tucked into his uniform pockets. "I won't disturb you any further, so I shall take my leave." He made to rise as he spoke.

"A position in the Student Council will grant you a certain degree of convenience; you might want to reconsider." Horikita Manabu spoke suddenly, offering an olive branch once more, his tone carrying a hint of imperceptible temptation.

"I have no desire to get involved in complex affairs; after all, I am not here to preside over justice." Watanabe Hayabara looked back with a playful smirk, though his footsteps did not falter.

"Watanabe Hayabara, you need only hold a nominal title in the Student Council. You will enjoy the authority without having to deal with the trivialities of the council. How about that?" Horikita Manabu's voice carried an unquestionable certainty, as if he had anticipated this refusal all along.

Watanabe Hayabara's steps paused. He turned around, a flash of surprise in his eyes, which was immediately replaced by amusement: "The more tempting the conditions, the more risks they hide." He drew out his tone as if weighing the pros and cons, and a few seconds later, he suddenly laughed. "However, I accept."

Seeing this, Horikita Manabu began to clap slowly, the sound ringing out with exceptional clarity in the quiet office. He then called out: "Tachibana Akane."

"Oh... um," Tachibana Akane was clearly stunned, her eyes full of surprise. She finally reacted, hurriedly spreading the documents she was holding onto the desk, her fingers fumbling as she organized the papers. "Watanabe-kun only needs to sign here. The notice of appointment will be displayed on the school bulletin board for three days."

Watanabe Hayabara's gaze fell on the job description on the document—the words "Public Morals Committee Member and Vice Secretary"—and a knowing smile touched his lips. He picked up the fountain pen from the desk and briskly signed his name, his handwriting sharp and unrestrained.

"President Horikita is truly concerned about first-year affairs." Watanabe Hayabara set down the pen, his eyes filled with a touch of inquiry as he smiled.

"The Student Council is indeed short-handed for the position of Public Morals Committee Member, and I believe Watanabe-kun is capable of handling the role." Horikita Manabu responded with a smile as well, his gaze behind his lenses calm and ripple-free.

"If I may be so bold, I wonder who will be presiding over next Tuesday's judgment?" Watanabe Hayabara leaned back slightly, the chair making a faint scraping sound against the floor. He wore an inscrutable smile, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the desk, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"The original arrangement was for Tachibana Akane to preside, with me observing." Horikita Manabu turned his head to look at Tachibana Akane beside him, his tone calm. "Since Watanabe-kun has now taken on the role of Public Morals Committee Member, let Watanabe-kun preside over this matter. However, Tachibana Akane and I will still be in attendance."

Tachibana Akane nodded hurriedly, carefully gathering the signed documents and placing them into the folder. She looked at Watanabe Hayabara with complex emotions; this first-year student who had suddenly joined the Student Council seemed to be calculating every step, from the conditions he proposed to his quick acceptance, as if he had a clear goal from the very beginning. She bit her lower lip gently, silently worrying for Horikita Manabu in her heart.

"President Horikita is attending just to see if his sister has made any progress, I suppose." Watanabe Hayabara raised an eyebrow, his tone clearly teasing, the smile on his lips deepening.

Hearing this, Horikita Manabu habitually adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light. He did not deny it, merely remaining silent, his gaze continuing to watch Watanabe Hayabara calmly, as if waiting for him to continue.

Watanabe Hayabara was not surprised by Horikita Manabu's reaction. He chuckled and continued: "Under Ayanokoji's guidance, she has indeed learned to help others." He paused, his fingertips stopping their tapping, his tone becoming more serious. "But now, she has developed a mind of her own, so she rarely adopts Ayanokoji's suggestions anymore. I am quite curious to see to what extent she will grow."

The office fell into a brief silence. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the blinds, casting long, narrow shadows on the floor. Tachibana Akane's fingers tightened around the folder, and she looked at Watanabe Hayabara with slight astonishment.

"Has President Horikita considered Secretary Tachibana Akane?" Watanabe Hayabara suddenly changed the subject, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. His gaze shifted between Horikita Manabu and Tachibana Akane, his tone filled with both inquiry and a touch of mockery.

"What do you mean?" Horikita Manabu looked up at Watanabe Hayabara, his gaze behind his lenses calm and ripple-free. His tone betrayed no emotion; he was clearly playing dumb, as if he hadn't understood the subtext of the remark.

Hearing this, Tachibana Akane felt a blush spread across her cheeks. She instinctively lowered her head, her fingers nervously picking at the edge of the folder, her heart beating uncontrollably fast.

"It means nothing. See you at the judgment, President." Watanabe Hayabara chuckled, not pressing the matter further. He stood up from the chair, smoothed out the wrinkles on his uniform jacket, and turned to walk toward the office door.

"Click." The door was pulled shut, and the office returned to silence.